and today I found a nut.
Yesterday evening as I was browsing the local internet gun ads, I came across one that was just listed. "S&W 357 Mag" the description was "Model 386 6 3/4" barrel. Stainless steel rubber grips" with no picture and the price was $350. I quickly sent and email saying if it was what he says, i want it and requested a pic. I assumed it was a 686. He replied back with a camera phone pic of a blurry 686. I told him I would take it and we made plans to meet today. I was scared what I was going to find when I got there but after an hour and a half drive, this is what I get.

686-6, 95% condition, no box, but a lot of brown oil oozing.
I couldnt believe it. I told him he was selling it cheap and he said "I know that now". He brought it to a dealer and they told him he would get $350 at a gun show, so thats what he listed it at. He was very nice.
Well I cant leave well enough alone, so I completely disassembled every last screw and pin to clean the old gunk away and bead blast it. I just ordered a red dot and mount for my 625 to shoot plates with, but I think I found a new plate gun. Here is she is after the bead blast.

Welcome from Louisville. You scored a fine gun.

Stick around, you'll like it here.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Looks yummy!

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Did you do the blasting-looks good!

Yes, I like matte finishes so I blast most of my stainless S&We unless they are in great shape and rare. I just wanted this one to match my other 3 686s.

I just love happy endings! Congrats!

It could have been an even happier ending if I was posting the pictures but, I have had my share of finding "nuts" too!

A great L frame with a "do anything" barrel length! If it turns out to be as accurate as my 686, the plates don't stand a chance!

Awesome job, gballwill! Superb looking 686. Super price!
Congrats.

There's hope for us all.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Nice find. If nothing else, the seller learned not to ask about gun values at his LGS.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

DANG!!!... Oh, and welcome.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

What you got?? A Python?? You can't get anything for those.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Very nice score.

I have to ask, what grit glass beads did you use & where do you buy them?
The reason I ask is because I have a police trade-in 5906 on layaway.
It has holster worn shiny spots.
I'd like to restore the factory finish because it will look a lot better.
Besides, it's a shooter, not a collector.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Oh My !!!!!!

My goodness. At that price you needed to buy the seller lunch WITH dessert! Who knows what else he has to sell. Very nice!

I bought the beads from harbor freight years ago. I don't recall what size they were. I blast at about 90 psi. That seems to be more important that media size.

I saw that on TGT too and figured it was a 686. I already have several and didn't need (need?) another one. I knew somebody would buy it and get a heck of a deal. Glad you got it and you did get a heck of a deal. Great job on the bead blast.

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Gone but not forgotten-RIP Dad

Brownells sells the real deal, though Harbor Freight is probably a lot cheaper and qballwill's looks real nice in his photos.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod1209.aspx

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

That is a great price, enjoy your "new" 686.